Christmas.

Oh what can I say about this wonderful time of year? Everything has pretty much already been said on Facebook, in another blog post, or expressed in a song. How about we start out with some photos of my favorite fairy lights, and my little Christmas tree.

Can you believe it? I am actually taller than something! (My actual height: 5’1″-2″) 

November and December is the time I take just for me, my family, and my friends. And while I am at it, I take advantage of some alone time, and really evaluate my life. I know it sounds cheesy, but this is what I do. For me personally, I want to make sure I am fulfilling the purpose God has put on my life. And to be quite honest with you, this is the first year I just let it all go. I am no longer stressing over my business, no longer stressing over timelines I set for myself, etc. I still want to set timelines, and goals, but for how I work I have to set small ones in order to achieve the big picture.

I am so use to trying to accomplish everything in one day, that it may take some time before I completely wind down. But I am loving every minute of this new found freedom. I lost so much of my time trying to be something I wasn’t. I truly wasn’t fulfilling the purpose for my life. I am not just talking about this year, I am talking about most of my twenties. 

I thought I could do it all. I thought I could work a full time job with multiple responsibilities, come home, and go straight into worrying over my business. On the computer all day, and night pretty much accomplishing nothing. I missed out on opportunities to build community with my friends, and family. And for me nothing makes my heart happier than being with people I love.

I’ve had to have several ‘come to Jesus moments’, but it really, and truly sunk in this year. Of course it had to come down to me resenting almost everything, and crying nearly every day.

Am I mad that I pretty much wasted a lot of time. Yes, but I don’t regret it. Because through all of this, it taught me so much. I have learned more about myself, how I function, etc. It taught me how I truly need to rely on God for all my needs, and to follow the dreams God has placed in my heart. I can’t do what everyone else is doing, I wasn’t made for that.

So now I am taking the time to really re-discover the gifts I have been given. And how I need to use them to truly effect The Kingdom.

For starters I want to take this blog, and make it feel more at home. Not so business-ey all the time. I want Light & Hope to be more than just a photography business. I want to bring light, hope, and inspiration into your life with photos.

I have heard so many opinions on mixing personal life, and business together, but photography is my life. Being creative is my life. It’s not all of who I am, but it’s a major part of me.

It’s not official or written in stone, just yet, but there may be some awesome video content coming your way. These are just ideas that I am bouncing off the wall, at the moment, but I plan on exploring a lot of creative venues.

2015 should be an interesting year, but I am excited for it. How about you? Are you excited for the New Year to come? If you’re not then why? 

Love,

Hope*